Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) more commonly known as “Baby in a bubble” syndrome has also be successful with gene therapy. SCID “is caused by a single mutated gene, and this means that they have to live in sterile conditions or risk picking up a life-threatening infection.” (BBC News – 3rd April 2002) This gene therapy adds in a correctly – functioning version of the faulty gene. This would generate further cells to pass into the blood stream and protect from infection.
Gene therapy has also looked in to cures for “genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell anaemia and cancer” (Robert Taylor – 3rd October 1998)
Although gene therapy maybe able to help in cases of certain diseases like Parkinson’s, cancer is one area that needs work on as cancer is influenced by other factors than just want is in the genes. The environmental factors such as carcinogenic chemicals in air and radiation can cause cancer. It would be better to tackling these factors to reduce cancer than all the technical fixes of gene therapy.
Genes can also be inserted into embryos by a process called germ-line gene therapy. This is used to cure genetic disorders such as haemophilia or this process could be uses to insert genes which enhance certain features like intelligence or athletic performance. These benefits would be passed on to later generations.
This process could be like saying “playing god” with the embryos. In certain cases it may be acceptable to do so, like if the child has a high chance of developing a disease that could result in a serious default or death then it could be acceptable.
Recombinant DNA technology can also help with insulin for diabetics. Human insulin can be made by transferring human insulin gene into E-coli bacteria. It is then grown in the fermenter. As the bacteria multiply they manufacture molecules of human insulin. This is then extracted and purified. The products are recombinant proteins which can be injected in to the diabetic.
Research has looked into creating pigs with humanised organs to avoid organs being rejected in organ transplants. “Such organs could make up the shortfall in human donor organs.” (Susan Aldridge – 15th November 1997)
When transplanting humanised organs from pigs, “animal diseases and dormant viruses in animal genomes could be transferred to modern human population” (David Heaf – 30th January 2000) this can cause diseases and viruses that medical science has no remedy for. Specific religious groups couldn’t use products from specific animals. When creating human organs in animals for transplant this can be a cause for concern. Cows are sacred animals to Hindus and Jews and Muslims think that pigs are unclean.
Scientists are also developing a technique where children with a severely-reduced vision or near blindness defect gene can have partial vision restored. Scientists have been experimenting on dogs that have this defective gene which is an inherited disorder. This gene is involved in correcting the construction of photo receptors in the eye which convert light in to nerve signals. They injected a virus to carry a correct functioning gene into the dog’s eye. After a period of time they tested the dog and the dog “responded to light and dark stimuli and avoided obstacles in dim light” (BBC News – 27th April 2001) proving successful.
Testing recombinant DNA technology is mainly tested on animals. These animals undergo unnecessary harm, mutilation and death. Animals that are born can be largely deformed and die young. Animals can also be put under constant stress and kept in abnormal conditions that are not like there natural environment.
Genetically modified food can also be a benefit to humans. It can be a benefit in many ways. To the growers of the GM food they can get increased yields, specific tolerance to cold, salinity or drought. With these crops they “can be grown in regions that at present have low agricultural productivity.” (David Bender - Microsoft® Encarta® encyclopaedia 2002) The resistance of crops to insect pests and fungi is also a bonus. It means that the growers can spray the crops with weed killer without damaging the crop.
Food processes and manufactures can have a longer shelf life and better properties for processing and manufacturing in there food and consumers could enjoy cheaper, more plentiful food and maybe better flavour, colour and texture and perhaps increased nutritional value in there food.
Though there are many advantages to genetically modified food there also many disadvantages to go with them. To the farmers some crops have a “terminator gene” which causes seeds to be sterile. This would cause farmers to buy fresh seeds every year.
The gene for herbicide resistance could transfer into wild plants which would lead to a spread of resistant weeds which would cause the herbicides to be useless and weeds could take over.
The spread of genetically modified plants would lead to greater survival rate and could cause the loss of wild plants.
With the modifying of food it could cause humans who eat then to have allergic reactions to them. These crops could even be toxic to humans.
When genetically modifying animals, for example fish, it creates an upheaval of the natural food webs. Genetically modifying can cause “reproduction and interbreeding with natural organisms spreading the genetic modification to new environments and future generations” (Green peace - Genetic engineering)
Recombinant DNA technology is a benefit to humans in the way that it can provide treatments for disease for a number of patients with a range of conditions. Also for the use to cure genetic disorders before the child is born. I don’t agree with the “playing god” with the unborn children. If the disease is a fatal one then maybe it is alright to correct the imperfection. But choosing what your baby will look like and its intelligence I don’t think is acceptable.
The production of insulin by using this technology is not a bad thing either. As the insulin does not come from animals it benefits the diabetics who are vegetarian or vegan and also it is a help to the religions where certain animals are sacred to them.
In certain cases of genetically modifying food I agree with. The fact that these crops could provide food for people where normally they have a low agricultural productivity and GM food could provide plentiful food which is a good thing. But then there are the consequences of the GM food and these can over rule on advantages of GM food.
The production of the humanised organs in animals is also a good idea to cut the short fall in human organ donors. Yet an argument may arise that the animals are being put under unnecessarily stress and cruelty. Also there arises an argument with religious groups.
Bibliography
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BBC News – Question and answers – gene therapy –
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BBC News – Gene therapy for Parkinson’s – 10th October 2002 –
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BBC News – ‘Bubble boy’ saved by gene therapy – 3rd April 2002 –
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New scientist journal, vol 160, issue 2154 – “Super humans” Robert Taylor – 3rd October 1998
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New scientist journal, vol 156, issue 2108 – Susan Aldridge – 15th November 1997
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BBC News – Gene therapy restores dogs’ sight – 27th April 2001 –
- Microsoft® Encarta® encyclopaedia 2002 – Genetic modification of food – David Bender
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Genetic engineering –
- AQA Biology specification A Book – A new introduction to biology pages 159-168 – Bill Indge, Martin Rowland, Margaret Baker – 2000
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Ifgene – Pros and cons of genetic engineering – David Heaf – 30th January 2000 –
- Daily Mail – Jenny Hope – “Great escape for boy in plastic bubble”
